Latest Update: Christian Pastors Run Amok. - Atheist Nexus2018-03-20T02:35:19Zhttp://atheistnexus.org/forum/topics/latest-update-christian-pastors-run-amok?groupUrl=atheistnews&commentId=2182797%3AComment%3A1976114&xg_source=activity&groupId=2182797%3AGroup%3A3247&feed=yes&xn_auth=noIt seems to me that this sort…tag:atheistnexus.org,2012-06-19:2182797:Comment:19854662012-06-19T03:01:29.265ZSean Murphyhttp://atheistnexus.org/profile/SeanMurphy
<p>It seems to me that this sort of abuse is an <strong>inevitable</strong> result of <em>any</em> system that promotes hierarchical authority. Which is virtually every religion, of course. When these things first started coming to light twenty years ago, or whenever they first started coming to light, I could not figure out why anyone was surprised, nor could I quite get that it wasn't already common knowledge.</p>
<p>It seems to me that this sort of abuse is an <strong>inevitable</strong> result of <em>any</em> system that promotes hierarchical authority. Which is virtually every religion, of course. When these things first started coming to light twenty years ago, or whenever they first started coming to light, I could not figure out why anyone was surprised, nor could I quite get that it wasn't already common knowledge.</p> I suspect (pure speculation o…tag:atheistnexus.org,2012-06-09:2182797:Comment:19763402012-06-09T15:29:42.081ZPathttp://atheistnexus.org/profile/Pat46
<p>I suspect (pure speculation on my part) that it's not much different than the statistics for the general population. What I find hypocritical, though, is that they tout and laud their "ever so superior morality" to everyone else. Reminds me of Bill Bennett (Reagan's Secy. of Educ. and conservative moralizer) who wrote a book called <em>The Book of Virtues, </em>telling the rest of how to be moral. Turns out, on his off time, he blows his paycheck at the crap tables in Vegas while pinching…</p>
<p>I suspect (pure speculation on my part) that it's not much different than the statistics for the general population. What I find hypocritical, though, is that they tout and laud their "ever so superior morality" to everyone else. Reminds me of Bill Bennett (Reagan's Secy. of Educ. and conservative moralizer) who wrote a book called <em>The Book of Virtues, </em>telling the rest of how to be moral. Turns out, on his off time, he blows his paycheck at the crap tables in Vegas while pinching cocktail waitresses on the ass. I don't give a shit about the gambling - his money, not mine. But spare me the hypocritical, fraudulent, con artist lecture on how to be a good, virtuous human.</p> Joan I find some of this funn…tag:atheistnexus.org,2012-06-09:2182797:Comment:19761952012-06-09T14:53:32.245ZDaniel Whttp://atheistnexus.org/profile/Daniel62301
<p>Joan I find some of this funny, at least the unveiling of hypocrisy. It's always funny to look at some blustering idiot who has been found to have feet of clay . BUT..... So many of these criminals are sexually abusing vulnerable victims, or committing domestic violence, it throws a damper on any humor. Some of these crimes are heinous. Some aspects are just odd - the fact that so many articles refer to the criminals as "<strong>The</strong> reverend....". What's with the…</p>
<p>Joan I find some of this funny, at least the unveiling of hypocrisy. It's always funny to look at some blustering idiot who has been found to have feet of clay . BUT..... So many of these criminals are sexually abusing vulnerable victims, or committing domestic violence, it throws a damper on any humor. Some of these crimes are heinous. Some aspects are just odd - the fact that so many articles refer to the criminals as "<strong>The</strong> reverend....". What's with the "<strong>the</strong>"? Also, the banal or inane detail in some of the news articles, stating that the pastor commutes between different cities, or that he's an "open supporter of the Capitalist system". That's just weird.</p> You make a good point about t…tag:atheistnexus.org,2012-06-09:2182797:Comment:19761142012-06-09T14:45:30.740ZDaniel Whttp://atheistnexus.org/profile/Daniel62301
<p>You make a good point about the interaction between theism and crime. These arrests and convictions happen so often, it's mind boggling. I've been keeping google alerts on news articles involving pastors committing crimes, and by email was overloaded. No way to know if it's more or less crime than people who are not pastors.</p>
<p>You make a good point about the interaction between theism and crime. These arrests and convictions happen so often, it's mind boggling. I've been keeping google alerts on news articles involving pastors committing crimes, and by email was overloaded. No way to know if it's more or less crime than people who are not pastors.</p> The next time one of these yo…tag:atheistnexus.org,2012-06-09:2182797:Comment:19761862012-06-09T13:50:49.035ZTammy Shttp://atheistnexus.org/profile/TammyS
<p>The next time one of these yokels says to me, 'But they're good Christians!' I might just laugh out loud thinking of this list. There's no such thing as a 'good' Christian in my book...</p>
<p>The next time one of these yokels says to me, 'But they're good Christians!' I might just laugh out loud thinking of this list. There's no such thing as a 'good' Christian in my book...</p> What's the big deal? I mean,…tag:atheistnexus.org,2012-06-09:2182797:Comment:19761742012-06-09T12:29:36.109ZPathttp://atheistnexus.org/profile/Pat46
<p>What's the big deal? I mean, they're forgiven, right? That's the way it works, isn't it? They've been vicariously pardoned by the scapegoat zombie that was the subject of Mel Gibson's anti-semitic snuff film. </p>
<p>I think Emo Phillips described their philosophy better than anyone. <em>"When I was a kid, I used to pray every night for a new bike. Then I realised, the Lord doesn't work that way. So I just stole one and asked Him to forgive me." </em></p>
<p>Do what you want, talk to your…</p>
<p>What's the big deal? I mean, they're forgiven, right? That's the way it works, isn't it? They've been vicariously pardoned by the scapegoat zombie that was the subject of Mel Gibson's anti-semitic snuff film. </p>
<p>I think Emo Phillips described their philosophy better than anyone. <em>"When I was a kid, I used to pray every night for a new bike. Then I realised, the Lord doesn't work that way. So I just stole one and asked Him to forgive me." </em></p>
<p>Do what you want, talk to your dead friend, and everything becomes okie dokie. What I find bizarre is when theists ask what keeps atheists from raping, murdering, stealing, pillaging, and laying waste the countryside. Maybe one of the reasons is because we don't get a free pass from the invisible/nonexistent.</p> I am picking up on a pattern…tag:atheistnexus.org,2012-06-09:2182797:Comment:19760072012-06-09T10:49:16.852ZEdward Teachhttp://atheistnexus.org/profile/edwardteach
<p>I am picking up on a pattern here ;-)</p>
<p>I am picking up on a pattern here ;-)</p> Come on Loren, I need a laugh!tag:atheistnexus.org,2012-06-09:2182797:Comment:19758952012-06-09T04:18:59.051ZJoan Denoohttp://atheistnexus.org/profile/JoanDenoo
<p>Come on Loren, I need a laugh!</p>
<p>Come on Loren, I need a laugh!</p> And the list grows. I wish I…tag:atheistnexus.org,2012-06-09:2182797:Comment:19760752012-06-09T04:18:14.868ZJoan Denoohttp://atheistnexus.org/profile/JoanDenoo
<p>And the list grows. I wish I could find something funny to say ... but alas, some of these crimes have resulted in charges and perhaps convictions and sentencing. The quiet crimes go unseen, uncharged, without convictions and sentencing. Topping off the hypocritical mess are the parishioners who "forgive". Where is the honor in forgiveness of the unforgivable? </p>
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<p>And the list grows. I wish I could find something funny to say ... but alas, some of these crimes have resulted in charges and perhaps convictions and sentencing. The quiet crimes go unseen, uncharged, without convictions and sentencing. Topping off the hypocritical mess are the parishioners who "forgive". Where is the honor in forgiveness of the unforgivable? </p>
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<p></p> I think information about the…tag:atheistnexus.org,2012-06-09:2182797:Comment:19760682012-06-09T04:00:00.978ZDaniel Whttp://atheistnexus.org/profile/Daniel62301
<p>I think information about the arrests and convictions of ministers and priests is important. It tells us that these people, who are often preaching condemnation, are only human like the rest of us. It should humble the practitioners of the ministry industry, which in the end is a form of entertainment plus politics plus hype or fraud. I don't think they are any better than anyone else. I suspect they may be a little worse, since they are either spreading delusion unintentionally or…</p>
<p>I think information about the arrests and convictions of ministers and priests is important. It tells us that these people, who are often preaching condemnation, are only human like the rest of us. It should humble the practitioners of the ministry industry, which in the end is a form of entertainment plus politics plus hype or fraud. I don't think they are any better than anyone else. I suspect they may be a little worse, since they are either spreading delusion unintentionally or intentionally.</p>